David Croxford/Civil Beat/2024
Ex-Mitsunaga Secretary Charged For Illegal Political Donations
Terri Ann Otani, who was acquitted in a federal criminal conspiracy trial last year, faces prison time and hefty fines if convicted of the new charges.
(Brittany Lyte/Civil Beat/2025)
Kauaʻi Man Died On His Birthday After Airport Staff Encounter
In a lawsuit, the homeless man’s mother says her son was beaten to death.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2010
City Lawyer Gets Off With A Scolding For Citing Fake Law In Civil Rights Case
A state judge told a Honolulu deputy corporation counsel accused of basing his argument on a fictional case created by artificial intelligence, ‘Don’t do it again.’
David Croxford/Civil Beat/2025
Hawaiʻi Expands Effort To Keep Women Out Of Jail
Addressing the underlying trauma and substance abuse issues that many non-violent women offenders struggle with can put them on a better path — and save taxpayer money too.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2016
Honolulu City Attorney Used Fictional Case Law To Combat Civil Rights Suit
Courts are increasingly grappling with mistakes made by an unethical reliance on artificial intelligence programs, but Honolulu’s top lawyer says the erroneous argument in the high-profile case was the result of sloppy work.
Office of the Auditor
State Boards Must Release Records Showing Hiring Decisions, Judge Says
Newly released executive session minutes finally let the public see why the Agribusiness Development Corp. hired Wendy Gady to run the controversial organization.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022
Hawaiʻi Needs Lawyers. Now, Mainland Attorneys Can Practice Here
Attorneys licensed in other states and in good standing can practice in Hawaiʻi without taking the state bar, as long as they work in criminal litigation for a government agency.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2019
Lawsuit: Censoring Inmates’ Reading Material Violates Publisher’s Rights
A nonprofit that publishes ‘self-help’ books for prisoners challenges a new state policy.
Courtesy: Bickerton Law Group
Judge Stops Trial In Police Shooting Lawsuit Before It Goes To Jury
The city had taken the Lindani Myeni civil case to trial after Honolulu police officers strongly opposed a settlement.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2022
AI In The Courtroom? Complaints About Misuse By Hawaiʻi Lawyers Growing
Hawaiʻi is seeing an increase in complaints against lawyers accused of improperly using artificial intelligence programs to help produce documents, but the state court system has yet to take decisive action to address the problem.